THERE were pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, a French artist specialising in pumpkin pictures plus a preponderance of pumpkin poetry to celebrate World Poetry Week.

Visitors to the Jubilee sailing Trust's fourth annual pumpkin festival in the Royal Chapel at Netley's Royal Victoria Country Park could also sample pumpkin food, giggle over decorated pumpkins and marvel at huge examples of the vegetables weighing in at around 400lb.

Last year, the event raised about £2,000 for the Southampton-based trust that enables both able-bodied and disabled people to experience the joy of tall ship sailing on its ships Lord Nelson and Tenacious.

This year it was a case of double your money after an anonymous sponsor stepped in with an offer to match the cash raised at the pumpkin festival.

The money-spinning event grew out of a hobby which trust chairman John Davison and events co-ordinator Sonja Davison have enjoyed for ten years.

"We thought it was an idea that would appeal to all ages and help spread the word about the trust," said Sonja.

"Our passion for pumpkins raises money for our passion for tall ship sailing.

"We praise the pumpkin by the lovely food and wine made from it and story-telling around it. It is exciting, educational and edible.

"People have such a bad opinion of pumpkins because of Hallowe'en - but there is a lot more to them.

"They are probably one of the most versatile vegetables there is. They can be used for sweet or savoury dishes and are good fun to grow."